In plain words
The respite that lies between two pains is what pleasure is. If there were no pains at all, there would be no pleasure at all. That is why we must look on both of these alike.
Put the money you earn to good use
When I see the poor, it pains Me deeply. Once I was coming by car from Rajahmundry to Madras. Two devotees were with Me in the car. Many cars were coming behind us. As we were coming here, at one place I asked, ‘What is this?’ ‘This is Red Hills,’ they told Me. They told Me that the rainwater that flows in and collects there is used for the crops. At that time, because there had been no rains, it was of no use. We saw little children there drinking the water in dirty pits. They told us that the same water is used for cooking as well. By drinking such polluted water we ruin our health with our own hands. Three things above all affect our health: water, food, and the surroundings we move in. Only when these three are pure is a man’s health sound. Today our health is breaking down precisely because the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe are not as they should be.
I said, “Sir! In our Madras there are rich people aplenty. Why should all of them not take up sacrifice? If a beggar comes to their door, they drive him away. Or else they set the dogs on him. Do they give even a single naya paisa for the welfare of society? Should they not help the country and its people at least a little? Should they not give drinking water and relieve the suffering of the thirsty? On cinemas, cigarettes, coffee, food and drink they spend money freely. Instead of misusing money like this, can you not give poor children a mouthful of clean water?” For man, these three matter most: health, education and water. Look at the state of education today: to get admission even to some small class you have to pay a great deal of money.